Artwork forms three-way prepress partnerships

Artwork forms three-way prepress partnerships
Prepress suppliers like to be buddies with everyone. They continually form new partnerships, which makes commercial sense given that today’s open operating systems allow communication between disparate input and output devices. It certainly forms part of the strategy of Artwork Systems, headquartered in Gent, Belgium. Over a brief period it recently signed up no fewer than three alliances with some leading graphics industry manufacturers.
An OEM agreement involving Kyoto based Screen and its global subsidiaries means that ArtPro pre-production tools are fully integrated within Screen’s Trueflownet. This suite of automated prepress modules include tools to create customized and automated JDF-enabled workflows to suit specific production requirements, including labels and packaging. In fact, Screen recently launched its first flexo product, the PlateRite FX870 digital platesetter using thermal technology for imaging plates up to 33" x 28".
Artwork’s arrangement with Punch Graphix International ensures compatibility between ArtPro, Nexus, and Odystar origination software and tools and Xeikon digital color printers, as well as basysPrint, the group’s manufacturer of CtP offset platesetters.
An agreement with Stork Prints in the Netherlands allows users of its direct laser engraving system to originate their label and packaging work on Artwork Systems’ Nexus RIP workflow system. Both companies will establish a working group assigned to develop the software and workflow systems for laser engraving technology.
Artwork Systems has offices in France, Germany, Ireland and the UK, with sales support in Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Hong Kong. It recently acquired Enfocus and Dimensional Impressions and has a US office in Los Angeles.